Cute ways to say I love you to a friend

What Can I Say Instead of I Love You?

Sometimes, we need original and different ways to say I love you to the people that matter most to us.

So, below is a HUGE list of ideas to make someone feel special and cherished.

Odds are, your words and actions will be met with appreciation and affection – strengthening your bond with your partner, kids, or friends.

Words to Say Instead of “I Love You”
Funny Ways to Say I Love You
Different Ways to Say I Love you to a Friend
Cute Ways to Say I Love You to Your Child
Beautiful Quotes to Express How You Feel
How to Say I Love You in Different Languages
Different Ways to Say I Love You to Yourself
Other Ways to Say I Love You Without Words
Creative Ways to Say I Love You (The 5 Languages)

Words to Say Instead of “I Love You”

First, check out this list of different ways to say I love you to your partner (or any other family member), and actions to make them feel cherished.

I hope you know how much you mean to me.

I am so blessed to be your partner, spouse, etc.

I’m crazy about you.

You mean the world to me.

I will always be here for you.

You are my dream come true. I prayed and hoped for you.

It doesn’t matter what we do, I’m glad to spend the time with you.

You are my better half.

You are my sunshine when skies are gray.

Thank you for always supporting me.

You light me up.

Good Activities to Show Your Partner Love

Send a sweet text message

Send a romantic song or music video

Share with them your gratitude journal when they are in it

Flirt with your partner

Set up a new experience to do together

Compliment your partner

Do something they enjoy doing

Celebrate their accomplishments

Make a big deal about their birthday

Take care of them when they get sick

Encourage them to practice self-care and give space to do so.

Look up a few jokes and make them laugh.

I’ve fallen for you and I can’t get up.

You’ve stolen a pizza my heart.

I’m sharing this ________ only because I love you.

What did the volcano say to the mountain? “I lava you!”

You are like asthma. You take my breath away!

What did one light bulb say to another? I love you watts and watts

Knock knock. Who’s there? Owl? Owl who? Owl always love you!

I love you with all my butt. I’d say my heart, but my butt is bigger.

Different Ways to Say I Love you to a Friend

Even though we don’t see each other often, you are one of my dearest friends

I’m so blessed to have you in my life

Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you!

Happy ___________ (Birthday, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s) Day!

Happy Tuesday!

I miss seeing your face!

Congrats on your ________! (Celebrate their accomplishments!)

Can I give you a hug?

You inspire me!

I admire that you are so ____________ (generous, bold, kind, etc.)

That time we ___________ is one of my favorite memories.

Activities to Show Your Friend You Care

Send a card using snail mail

Send a video message to say hi or thank you

Facetime when they need it

Call them up and just listen

Drop off a small plant, coffee, or another pick-me-up. Check out soothing gifts HERE.

Text just to check-in

Plan a friend date night

Make them a diy self care kit

Help them with a large project (cleaning out a house, moving, etc.)

Make them a playlist

Related Post: How to Connect as an Adult

Cute Ways to Say I Love You to Your Child

You are my dream come true.

I love you from your head to your toes, knees to your nose.

I love you more than ______________ (Curious George loves bananas, etc)

You are my favorite ____________ (5-year old, 3 year-old, etc.) in the entire world!

Just seeing you makes me smile.

I love you to the moon and back.

I love you in the evening, and in the afternoon. I love you in the morning, and underneath the moon.

I thought of you today when I saw ____________.

I will always be there for you, no matter what you do.

Activities to Show Love to Your Child

Leave little love notes for them to find (free ones through the link!)

Set up quality time to spend together

Share a touching love quote with them

Share something you wrote in your gratitude journal about them

Listen without any distraction for ten minutes

Draw a heart with jelly on their peanut butter sandwich

Make a secret “I love you” code

Engage in exciting and simple birthday traditions

Be silly with them

Want to Make Love a Priority in Your Home?

Check out the BEST family traditions ebook – a year-long guide full of connection building activities for the entire family! Don’t miss out on this affordable ebook before your next holiday!

See also: 37 Ways to Become a More Playful Mom

Beautiful Quotes to Express How You Feel

Sometimes, the right words have already been said. Include one of these quotes to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.

“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” – Audrey Hepburn

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” – Maya Angelou

“In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. / In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” – Maya Angelou

If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you. – A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

“I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you.” – Roy Croft

“Do I love you? My god, if your love were a grain of sand, mine would be a universe of beaches.” – William Goldman, The Princess Bride

“I am who I am because of you.”
Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

“There is no remedy for love, but to love more.” – Thoreau

“I love you, and that’s the beginning and end of everything.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” – Charles M. Schultz

How to Say I Love You in Different Languages

Surprise your loved one with a bilingual card or expression of affection! Try one of these:

Spanish – Te amo
Italian – Ti amo
French – Je T’aime
Irish – Gráím thú
Hawaiian – Aloha Au Ia ʻOe
German – Ich liebe dich

Check out omniglot for more languages and to see how they sound!

Different Ways to Say I Love You to Yourself

Take the 30 Day self love challenge

Pick from these love yourself affirmations to repeat daily

Start a self-love journal with these thoughtful prompts

Other Ways to Say I Love You Without Words

Make a special breakfast

Send a thoughtful gift (Find beautiful love gifts HERE!)

Tickle them

Write down 10 reasons you love them (click the link for a free printable!)

Gift a photo of the two of you

Set up quality time to spend together

Throw your special person a surprise party

Give them space when they need it. We all have rough days

Be supportive when they want to make changes in their life

Hang out with their friends

Show affection in public

Pay attention to what they like

Creative Ways to Say I Love You (The 5 Languages)

Next, let’s try different ways to say I love you, using the 5 love languages. Whether it’s your partner or your child, these will be clear indicators that you care.

Words of Affirmations

Write 10 great things about them on post-it notes and stick it to the wall

Put notes in a jar for all the reasons you adore them

Thank them for something extra they did in the last week

Tell someone how great they are in front of them

Do “14 days of love” with a small note every day

Write on the bathroom mirror

Write a love letter

Need help with affirmations for kids? Sign up for 14 free love notes!

Acts of Service

Bring them coffee

Do one of their chores

Run an errand they need done

Wash your partner’s car

Cook their favorite meal

Lighten their load in some way when they are stressed out

Quality Time

Plan a date night

Plan one on one time with your child

Go for a long walk together

Do something with them they enjoy doing (cooking, working out, etc.)

Gift a date night basket

Put down your phone and screens – really pay attention

Dream and make plans and goals together

Plan a weekend road trip or Anniversary vacation

Physical Touch

Hold hands

Give them a hug

Give a shoulder massage

Rough house with kids (tickling works too!)

Create secret handshakes

Give kisses (or butterfly kisses, nose kisses, etc.)

Cuddle

Gifts

Remember their preferences (food, drink, activities) and pick it up for them

Print and display photos in a sweet way

Keep a memento from an experience together and leave it on their pillow

Gift a puzzle of a special place

Leave a small gift in their car

Buy them a bottle of champagne to celebrate an accomplishment

Make a small homemade gift to give to them (like a diy crossword)

Try a 12 days of gift theme! These are SO fun to put together and open!
- See Gifts for the 12 Days of Christmas Song
- See this Unique Care Package for New Moms